Stamp-mutilating device



Oct. 10, 1939. 5;, ways 2,175,284

STAMP MUTILATING DEVICE Filed Dec. 18, 1937 Patented Oct. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT" oFFi-cE sTAMB-MUTILATING' DEVICE h Austin E. Davis, Brooklyn, N. Y.. i Application December 18, 1937', Serial No. 180,653-

Claims. (01. 225-1) This invention'relates to an apparatus for dispensing-liquid from a sealed container, and more particularly to anarrangement for 'mutilating, as by rupturing, revenue stamps and the like 6 which havebeen positioned to seal the filled container and which must be destroyed'to' prevent reuse, when the container is opened for dispensing purposes.

Specifically, the invention is illustrated herein asappliedto a deviceof the character commonly known as a beer tapper for drawing off beer from a keg and delivering'same to a customer, but it is tobe understood that" the herein-described embodiment is but'illustrative; and that the inventionis by no means limited to beer kegs.

In many devices of this general nature as heretofore employed, it has been possible to discharge the liquid, such as beer, from kegs, casks or barrels, without destroying the revenue or tax stamp on the barrel, and thus it has been possible to again refill the container and evade payment of further tax'on' thelrefill'ed commodity. i

Accordingly it is an object ofthis invention to provide a tapping device so arranged that the device cannot be placed intooperation without destroying, rupturing or otherwise adequately mutilating the revenue or tax stamp which is applied to the cask for the purpose of indicating that the proper revenue tax has been paid thereon, and thereby prevent this stamp from being used improperly in the marketing of additional commodities in the same container.

Many efiorts have been made toward accomplishment of the desired results just stated, and

struction, such efforts have been successful. At the present time, however, the laws of the United States require that the stamp be pierced or mu-' tilated by a downward thrust caused by movement of the dispensing spigot, which in many instances also controls a valve in the head of the cask. To a full compliance with existing laws it is necessary first that the stamp be pierced by a downward thrust of the mutilating medium and second that'this downward thrust be caused by movement of the dispensing spigot (usually downward) from valve closing to valve opening position. From this it follows that the mutilatio-n must be caused by the generally downward movement of the dispensing spigot itself. If the valve and spigot are not unitary, then the mutilation must be caused by a downward thrust of the medium which ultimately releases the commodity to the customer.

Accordingly, it is one of the principal objects from a standpoint solely of stamp or seal deofthis invention to produce a structure, which is operable tocause a piercing of a revenue stamp orlike seal-by'a downward thrust effected through operation of the dispensing means. In the preferred embodiment herein illustrated, the dispensing spigot is of the type which opens a valve into the container'asthe spigot is moved from an inoperative to a'dispensing position. The rupturing medium is illustrated as operative direct- 1y by this movement of the dispensing spigot, but it would be within the scope of'this invention to provide an extraneous mechanism for rupturing purposes, the operation'of which would be initiated" by-a: movement of the spigot.

Mere mutilation, as by tearing of the seal or stamp, is not always a satisfactory compliance with existing laws, since it is possible in some instances to repair a torn stamp with enough skill to defy ready detection of the tear. According- 1y; a, further object of this invention contemplates a complete rupturing by cutting out and removal of a chip which cannot be replaced, as distinguished from merely tearing, perforating or thelikea. The chip which is cutfrom the seal is preferablyoi a jagged or irregular configuration, which irregularity may be carried through the stamp additional to the chip.

Some types of containers, notably beer kegs, are. provided with a filling opening or bung-hole so located with respect to the dispensing valve that it is'possible to remove the bung and dispense through'the opening, by the mere insertion of a'picnic-pump or other suitable hand de vice, in fact by the mere act of pouring the commodity through the bung-hole. This may necessitate the use of an additional seal or stamp soiplacedthatthebungcannot'be started without destruction of the seal". It is an object of the presentinvention'to provide a means by which a single seal, stamp or the like may be used for both the dispensing faucet and the bung, whereby use of either results in destruction of the seal.

'To' the attainment of the foregoing and other objects which will appear as the description proceeds, reference may be made to the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which:-

'Figure 1 is a perspective of a container head embodying'the'invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical elevation thereof, partly in section;

- Figure 3 is a plan of the container head prior to'mutilation of the seal;

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view subsequent tomutilationbf the seal, and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the type of chip or cutting which may be removed from the seal.

The container head illustrated herein, and to which the present invention has been applied is a well known type of metal head for beer kegs, provided with a substantially centrally located bung, and a dispensing valve, to the stem of which is connected a dispensing spigot.

Referring now more specifically to the drawing in which like reference numerals designate like parts, the novel features of the invention and the application thereof to such a conventional head will now be described.

The cask head I0 is provided with a bung-hole I I, a dispensing valve I2, having a stem I3 projecting beyond the valve casing and to the outer end of which is secured a dispensing faucet or spigot I4. When the valve is closed the spigot I4 lays down substantially parallel to the cask head I0, usually being positioned in a stand or rest I5 between two upstanding ears. These ears may be perforated as indicated at I6 to permit insertion of a wire and lead seal over the spigot, which must be destroyed or removed before the spigot can be moved to dispensing position. Such a sealing arrangement, while satisfactory for many purposes, does not however comply with the revenue laws. It will be obvious that as the spigot is moved from the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 4 the valve I2 will be opened and the contents of the container dispensed by internal pressure.

Secured to the head I0 adjacent and beneath the valve stem I3, and also adjacent the bunghole II is a channel member I9 illustrated as a piece of metal, bent to provide spaced flanges 20 and 2I defining between them a channel 22. Ohviously a solid block or a member of other material than sheet metal might be utilized, the essence of the element being the provision of the channel 22 which extends beneath the valve stem I3, in substantial alignment with the spigot or faucet I4. This member I9 may be wholly separate from the bung II as illustrated'in Figure 1, or may be extended to provide a flange or rim about the top of the bung opening as illustrated in Figure 3.

A pair of blades 23-24 are secured to the valve stem I3, or to the base of the spigot I4, being positioned for movement from above the channel 22, down into the channel as the'valve stem I3 is rotated and the spigot is moved to dispensing position.

From the foregoing the operation of the device will be readily apparent. A revenue stamp or similar seal will be placed upon the flanges 20 and 2i to extend across the channel 22, beneath the blades 23 and 24. Movement of the spigot I4 to an operating position, the latter portion of which movement is downward, will cause a downward thrust of the blades 23-24 into the channel, and through the stamp or seal. This movement of the blades, by cooperation with the channel member will obviously effect the desired mutilation by rupturing the stamp.

One blade alone will be sufficient to comply with the laws and will effect a mutilation of the stamp, but to insure that the stamp is completely mutilated such that it cannot be repaired, two blades are found desirable. It will be observed that the blade 24 which operatively follows the blade 23 is longer than 23, and theresult is that after the blade 23 has perforated the seal, the blade 24 will follow, striking the seal at a different point, spaced rearwardly of the point of entry of the blade 23, and thus will cut a chip right out of the seal, as distinguished from a mere tear or rip. Figure 4 illustrates the general appearance of the seal after a chip has been torn therefrom, and Figure 5 shows a chip C, the edges of which are jagged or irregular due to the fact that the sides thereof have been literally torn from the seal.

The blades 23 and 24 are illustrated in a very simple form, but the disclosures are intended as exemplary rather than limiting. Obviously it is within the scope of this invention to use blades arranged in a substantially vertical plane, or to provide pointed blades, bent, shaped or positioned as desired, or necessary to eifect the results sought.

In order to insure a secure mounting of the seal upon the channel member, the flanges 20 and 2| may be roughened over their entire surfaces, or in part, as indicated at 25 and 26.

It will also be evident that the stamp might readily'be positioned across the bung I I as well as over the channel 22, and this is facilitated by making the rim or flange of the bung opening continuous with the flange 20.

Many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art and accordingly, as stated, the description and disclosures herein are intended as illustrative rather than limiting. For example, the channel member might readily be located at the opposite end of the valve stem from the spigot, and the blades positioned at such end instead of adjacent the spigot. For that matter, the channel member could be positioned almost any place desired on the cask, and the blades arranged for operation by suitable linkage or other extraneous mechanism connecting them to the valve stem or to the spigot.

The' fundamental feature is the arrangement by means of which the stamp is mutilated by a downward thrust, by a downward movement of the dispensing apparatus, and so mutilated as to prevent repair. V

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a dispensing apparatus'for containers, a dispensing faucet mounted on the container, a mounting for a stamp or label on the container, and means to mutilate the stamp or label with a downward thrust, said mutilating means being controlled by the movement of said dispensing faucet.

2. In a dispensing apparatus for containers, a dispensing medium mounted on the container, a mounting for a stamp or label on the container, and means to mutilate the stamp or label with a downward thrustof the dispensing medium, and means interconnecting said dispensing medium and mutilating means whereby said mutilating means is operatively controlled by said dispensing medium.

3. In a dispensing apparatus for containers, a

dispensing medium mounted on the container,

and including a downwardly movable element, a mounting for a stamp or label on the container, and means to mutilate the stamp or label with a downward thrust, produced by downward movement of said element of the dispensing means.

4. In a dispensing apparatus for containers, a movable dispensing medium mounted on the container, efiective by its movement to control dispensing operations, a mounting for a stamp or labelon the container, and means to mutilate the stamp or label with a downward thrust, produced by movement of said dispensing means from inoperative to dispensing position.

5. In a dispensing apparatus for containers, a dispensing medium mounted on the container comprising a valve body, a spigot movably mounted on the container and connected to said valve to open and close the same when the spigot is moved to dispensing and inoperative positions, a mounting for a stamp or label on the container, and means to mutilate the stamp or label with a downward thrust, said mutilating means being controlled by movement of said dispensing medium.

6. In a dispensing apparatus for containers, a dispensing medium mounted on the container, comprising a valve body, a faucet mounted on the container for movement through a generally downward path, to dispensing position, and connected to said valve to open and close the same when the faucet is moved to dispensing and inoperative positions, a mounting for a stamp or label on the container, and means to mutilate said stamp or label with a downward thrust, produced by downward movement of said faucet.

'7. In a dispensing apparatus for containers, a dispensing medium mounted on said container and including a rotary valve, a dispensing spigot connected thereto and movable through a generally downward path to open said valve, a mounting for a stamp or label on the container, including a channeled support and means to mutilate a stamp or label positioned over the channel of said support with a downward thrust, the mutilating means being movable with said dispensing spigot, through the label.

8. A stamp mutilating apparatus for dispensing containers of the type having a movable dispensing faucet and a dispensing valve connected thereto for operation thereby, comprising a mounting for a revenue stamp or like label, an opening in said mounting over which the stamp or label is positioned, and a rupturing blade mounted for movement simultaneously with movement of the dispensing faucet and valve, from a position above the stamp or label downwardly into said opening whereby to rupture the stamp or label with a downward thrust.

9. A stamp mutilating apparatus for dispensing containers of the type having a movable dispensing faucet and a dispensing valve connected thereto for operation thereby, comprising a mounting for a revenue stamp or like label, an opening in said mounting over which the stamp or label is positioned, and a plurality of rupturing blades located in relatively spaced relation to each other, and mounted for movement simultaneously with movement of the dispensing faucet and valve, from a position above the stamp or label downwardly into said opening whereby to rupture the stamp or label and remove a chip therefrom.

10. A stamp mutilating apparatus for dispensing containers of the type having a movable dispensing faucet and a dispensing valve connected thereto for operation thereby, comprising a mounting for a stamp or like label, an opening in said mounting over which the stamp or label is positioned, and stamp rupturing means carried by said dispensing faucet in position to engage and rupture the stamp or label upon movement of said faucet to a dispensing position.

11. A stamp mutilating apparatus for dispensing containers of the type having a movable dispensing faucet and a dispensing valve connected thereto for operation thereby, comprising a mounting for a revenue stamp or like label, an opening in said mounting over which the stamp or label is positioned, and a plurality of rupturing blades mounted in relatively spaced relation to each other upon said faucet, for movement simultaneously with the faucet, from a position above the stamp or label downwardly into said opening whereby to rupture the stamp or label and remove a chip therefrom.

12. A stamp mutilating apparatus for dispensing containers of the type having a movable dispensing faucet and a dispensing valve connected thereto for operation thereby, comprising a mounting for a revenue stamp or like label having a channel extending across the mounting and over which the stamp or label is positioned, said channel being substantially in alinement with the plane of travel of said faucet, and means to mutilate a stamp or label positioned over the channel of said support With a downward thrust, the mutilating means being movable with said faucet through the label.

13. In a container for fluids, having a bung opening, and dispensing apparatus for the container including a movable spout positioned for operation adjacent said bung opening, the combination with a mounting on the container for a stamp or label, said mounting being located adjacent to said bung opening and having a portion extending at least partially past said opening whereby the stamp or label may be positioned on said support and across said bung opening, and means to mutilate the stamp or label with a downward thrust produced by movement of said spout to a dispensing position.

14. In a dispensing apparatus for containers, a dispensing faucet mounted on the container, a mounting for a stamp or label on the container, and means to mutilate the stamp or label, said mutilating means being controlled by said dispensing faucet.

15. In a dispensing apparatus for containers, a dispensing medium mounted on said container and including a rotary valve, a dispensing faucet connected thereto and movable to open said valve, a mounting for a stamp or label on the container, including a channeled support and means to mutilate a stamp or label positioned over the channel of said support, the mutilating means being movable with said dispensing faucet, through the label.

AUSTIN E. DAVIS. 

